Blueprint - AUTUMN 2023
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A publication for the policyholders of the Arkansas<br />
Blue Cross and Blue Shield family of companies <strong>AUTUMN</strong> <strong>2023</strong><br />
Lending a Hand & Heart<br />
Peer support specialists lift members on recovery journey<br />
PAGE 4<br />
Seniors rise to<br />
Blue & You Fitness<br />
Challenge<br />
PAGE 3<br />
Blue & You Foundation<br />
mini grants make<br />
a big difference<br />
PAGE 6<br />
Arkansas Blue Cross<br />
encourages students to<br />
choose healthcare futures<br />
PAGE 8
AWordwith Curtis Barnett<br />
Our President and Chief Executive Officer<br />
Taking good care of expectant mothers<br />
Anticipating the birth of a child is<br />
an amazing time to dream about<br />
and plan for their life’s journey<br />
ahead. It should be. Certainly, a<br />
healthy pregnancy shouldn’t be<br />
determined by who you are or<br />
where you live, but in the United<br />
States and Arkansas, that’s what<br />
the data shows. The Arkansas<br />
Center for Health Improvement<br />
(ACHI) has collected some<br />
sobering numbers.<br />
Arkansas has the highest maternal<br />
mortality rate in the nation, making<br />
it one of the riskiest places to<br />
have a baby. In fact, mothers who<br />
are Black, Indigenous and People<br />
of Color in Arkansas are two to<br />
three times more likely to die from<br />
pregnancy-associated causes as<br />
Caucasian mothers. Our state<br />
also has the third-highest infant<br />
mortality rate.<br />
Why are Arkansas mothers at risk?<br />
There are several reasons:<br />
• Nearly half of Arkansas<br />
counties, 37 of 75, are maternity<br />
care deserts. These are counties<br />
without any hospitals or birth<br />
centers offering obstetric<br />
care and without any obstetric<br />
providers, according to a report<br />
by the March of Dimes analyzing<br />
federal Health Resources and<br />
Services Administration data.<br />
• About 10% of mothers in<br />
Arkansas are uninsured,<br />
and 20% do not get<br />
adequate prenatal care.<br />
• Arkansas ranks second in the<br />
nation for teen births, and many<br />
of these young mothers may<br />
not have access to prenatal<br />
or post-natal care or know<br />
where to get it.<br />
• Arkansans have a high rate of<br />
chronic illnesses like high blood<br />
pressure, obesity, and diabetes,<br />
which can raise the risk of<br />
pregnancy complications.<br />
• Many women in Arkansas also<br />
are having babies later in life,<br />
when they may have a higher<br />
risk of complications.<br />
• We also have a high rate of<br />
cesarean section births, which<br />
can lead to complications.<br />
These are daunting issues, but the<br />
good news is that most pregnancyrelated<br />
deaths and illnesses are<br />
preventable.<br />
At Arkansas Blue Cross and<br />
Blue Shield, we are dedicated to<br />
improving the health of expectant<br />
mothers before, during, and after<br />
pregnancy to reduce maternal<br />
fatalities and improve health<br />
equity. We are looking at how<br />
social determinants of health<br />
– where people live and work,<br />
available transportation, nearby<br />
healthcare, and education – impact<br />
maternal health and searching<br />
for ways to close gaps and make<br />
access to prenatal care available<br />
closer to home.<br />
For our members, we have<br />
programs that can help support you<br />
throughout your pregnancy, connect<br />
you to resources and work with<br />
you and your healthcare providers<br />
to have a healthier pregnancy.<br />
We have case managers who<br />
can come alongside our high-risk<br />
expectant mothers and walk you<br />
through the scary and celebratory<br />
times. Simply reach out and get<br />
connected through the customer<br />
service number on the back of your<br />
health plan ID card or check out the<br />
QR code found with the preventive<br />
checkups article on page 13 of this<br />
issue of <strong>Blueprint</strong>.<br />
We are committed to improving<br />
the lives of all Arkansans and<br />
will be working closely with our<br />
state and medical community to<br />
find solutions to improve these<br />
sobering statistics. Together,<br />
we can take good care of moms<br />
and their babies born here in the<br />
Natural State.<br />
2 <strong>AUTUMN</strong> <strong>2023</strong>
LifeQuest attendees earned points for the<br />
Blue & You Fitness Challenge through classes<br />
ranging from line dancing to tai chi.<br />
Retirees rise to the<br />
Challenge to improve<br />
health, wellness<br />
By Linda S. Haymes<br />
In their first year to take part in the Blue & You Fitness<br />
Challenge, the seniors from LifeQuest of Arkansas<br />
rocked this year’s competition, placing 6 th in the<br />
non-profit category and 43 rd out of all 74 teams.<br />
The free three-month challenge each spring<br />
encourages exercising and making healthier choices.<br />
Participants log activities for points that can lead to<br />
rewards and better health and fitness. The Challenge<br />
is hosted by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield,<br />
the Arkansas Department of Health and the Arkansas<br />
Department of Human Services.<br />
The team’s involvement was outstanding.<br />
“I was amazed by their enthusiasm,” said Leah<br />
Greenfield, executive director of LifeQuest of Arkansas.<br />
“I’m a fitness enthusiast and try to walk 10,000<br />
steps a day anyway,” said Colleen Vollman, a retired<br />
accountant. “I thought I might as well get credit for it.”<br />
The team, with 46 LifeQuest members participating<br />
for the entire Challenge, amassed 1,428,353 points.<br />
That’s an average of 31,053 points per person.<br />
Photos by Cindy Momchilov/<br />
Camera Work Photography<br />
A week into the<br />
Blue & You Fitness<br />
Challenge, I knew it<br />
would be just what<br />
I needed ... it motivates me<br />
to keep moving toward wellness.<br />
I don’t expect to win any medals or trophies.<br />
Instead, the prize I want is feeling better, through<br />
my health and self-esteem.<br />
– Barbara Kane, LifeQuest of Arkansas member<br />
One member, Barbara Kane, was so excited she wrote<br />
Leah a letter.<br />
“Everyone did their own thing, but at one point, we<br />
planned to walk around the property together,” said<br />
June Brown, a retired pharmacist who garnered the<br />
most points among the group.<br />
The seniors walked, ran, and participated in tai chi,<br />
yoga and pickleball. They earned additional points<br />
through daily challenges ranging from drinking eight<br />
glasses of water to taking stairs instead of the elevator<br />
and learning about nutrition and stress management.<br />
“We really enjoyed just being<br />
together,” said June. “We need<br />
the socialization we get here.”<br />
Registration is now open for the 2024 Blue & You<br />
Fitness Challenge. Follow the QR code to learn more.<br />
<strong>AUTUMN</strong> <strong>2023</strong><br />
3
Peer support specialists (from left) Liz Greenbaum,<br />
Tojuana Greenlaw and Ashley LaHue<br />
New peer support specialists guide,<br />
support others toward recovery<br />
By Shellee Robbins and Tojuana Greenlaw<br />
When you’re going through a mental or behavioral health<br />
struggle, you need understanding from people who have<br />
learned experience. We get it.<br />
You are not alone.<br />
It's okay to say<br />
'I need help.'<br />
– Tojuana Greenlaw,<br />
peer support specialist<br />
4 <strong>AUTUMN</strong> <strong>2023</strong><br />
That’s why, in addition to local nurses and social workers,<br />
our behavioral health team also includes non-clinical,<br />
trained Arkansas Blue Cross employees who are certified<br />
peer support specialists. Working with the nurses and<br />
social workers, they serve as a single point of contact to<br />
coordinate integrated, whole-person care.<br />
The peer support specialists help members, who often<br />
have both physical and behavioral illnesses, connect to<br />
the medical care and resources they need for recovery,<br />
improved health and overall well-being.<br />
Peer support specialists Ashley LaHue, Liz Greenbaum, and<br />
Tojuana Greenlaw all have struggled with Substance Use<br />
Disorder (SUD), which can range from moderate to severe<br />
and can lead to addiction and mental health issues. They<br />
have “lived experience.”<br />
Simply put, they have walked the walk. But all three are now<br />
in lifelong recovery.
“Hurt, lonely and neglected,” is how Tojuana describes the<br />
emotions leading to her descent into addiction.<br />
She had a decent childhood, raised by both parents in<br />
a family-oriented home. Her struggle began when her<br />
parents separated and her mother, dealing with her own<br />
circumstances, left.<br />
“We were left with my father, who did the best he could,”<br />
Tojuana said. “This is a time in my life where the hurt was<br />
very real.”<br />
She spent the next 15 years on the streets with alcohol and<br />
drugs, trying to numb the pain and fill the void. She was<br />
arrested and had children of her own.<br />
“I found myself like a roaring tornado, tearing through the<br />
lives of the people I cared about most,” she said. In 2010,<br />
Tojuana entered treatment and began her recovery.<br />
She and the other peer support specialists, Ashley LaHue<br />
and Liz Greenbaum, have worked hard to achieve a lifelong<br />
recovery. They know it’s not a straight path, but one with<br />
ups and downs.<br />
Photo and cover portrait by<br />
Cindy Momchilov/Camera Work Photography<br />
Tojuana Greenlaw<br />
Today, Tojuana says she has never been happier.<br />
“I have a wonderful relationship with my children, three<br />
beautiful grandchildren, my family and most of all, myself.”<br />
“It’s only right that I now help others,” Tojuana said.<br />
“You are not alone. It’s okay to say, ‘I need help.’ ”<br />
According to a 2021 U.S. survey on substance use<br />
disorders among people aged 12 or older, 21.9% had<br />
used illicit drugs within the past year.<br />
The journey to recovery takes time, and our certified peer<br />
support specialists can help. For more information, or to<br />
speak to our team, call 800-225-1891, Monday – Friday,<br />
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (CST). For virtual health options,<br />
benefits or to find a local provider, sign in or register for<br />
<strong>Blueprint</strong> Portal at blueprintportal.com.<br />
I found myself like a<br />
roaring tornado, tearing<br />
through the lives of the<br />
people I cared about most.<br />
– Tojuana Greenlaw,<br />
peer support specialist<br />
Many of our plans also provide 24/7 access to a substance<br />
use disorder program powered by Bright Heart Health.<br />
For more information about the program, visit<br />
brighthearthealth.com/contact-us or call 800-892-2695.<br />
Bright Heart Health is a separate company that provides substance use disorder services for eligible<br />
members of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Health Advantage, and BlueAdvantage Administrators<br />
of Arkansas members, all independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.<br />
<strong>AUTUMN</strong> <strong>2023</strong><br />
5
Blue & You Foundation mini grants<br />
touch Arkansans’ lives By Kennedy T. Kinley<br />
When it comes to awarding grants,<br />
Rebecca Pittillo, executive director<br />
of the Blue & You Foundation for<br />
a Healthier Arkansas, knows that<br />
big things can often arrive in small<br />
packages – like mini grants.<br />
The Blue & You Foundation<br />
focuses on ways to make Arkansas<br />
communities healthier. In 2022<br />
alone, the foundation awarded<br />
$5 million in total grants to<br />
Arkansas nonprofits and<br />
governmental agencies, several<br />
of them for more than $100,000.<br />
In <strong>2023</strong> the foundation awarded<br />
209 new mini grants ranging from<br />
$500 to $2,000. Here are just a few<br />
examples of the mini grants the Blue<br />
& You Foundation awarded:<br />
Green Groceries<br />
Green Groceries, a farm-to-church<br />
ministry of Christ Episcopal Church<br />
in downtown Little Rock, is located in<br />
a food desert (an area where people<br />
have difficulty accessing healthy<br />
foods). People living in food deserts<br />
are likely to rely on processed foods<br />
they can buy in convenience stores.<br />
Unfortunately, these foods can<br />
contribute to poor health outcomes.<br />
Green Groceries’ mission is to<br />
support families in need with farmfresh<br />
groceries and strengthen the<br />
local food network by buying produce<br />
from Arkansas farmers. The program<br />
works to provide an annual average of<br />
more than 300 pounds of fresh locally<br />
grown fruits and vegetables, meat<br />
and eggs to participating families.<br />
The ministry strives to remove<br />
transportation and mobility barriers<br />
by using a network of volunteers to<br />
deliver the food.<br />
Green Groceries also hosts events<br />
where people can fill a grocery bag<br />
with healthy food to take home. The<br />
Blue & You Foundation’s $2,000 mini<br />
grant helps the program purchase<br />
even more fresh foods and expand the<br />
number of people they serve.<br />
“We are grateful for all the<br />
individuals and organizations –<br />
including the Blue & You Foundation<br />
– that support this unique food<br />
bank, now in its 10 th year," said<br />
Howison Hollenberg, Green<br />
Groceries' program director. "These<br />
investments of time and money<br />
have allowed us to grow, serving<br />
more people<br />
and giving<br />
away more<br />
food at each<br />
distribution."<br />
Howison<br />
Hollenberg<br />
6<br />
<strong>AUTUMN</strong> <strong>2023</strong>
Modest gifts make major impact<br />
Wendy Schaeffer, LPC<br />
Susan Wolf<br />
Gina Gomez<br />
Sgt. Jason McGlawn<br />
Gurdon<br />
High School<br />
Automated<br />
External<br />
Defibrillator<br />
“This grant provides<br />
an automated external<br />
defibrillator (AED) for<br />
rural Gurdon High School,<br />
where the nearest hospital<br />
is 23 miles away,” said<br />
Wendy Schaeffer, LPC,<br />
school-based health center<br />
coordinator. "Having the<br />
medical equipment ensures<br />
that we can respond<br />
appropriately to our more<br />
than 200 students, 30<br />
employees and visitors<br />
in the case of a cardiac<br />
emergency,” she said.<br />
White Hall<br />
Food Pantry<br />
The Blue & You Foundation<br />
mini grant allowed the<br />
White Hall Food Pantry<br />
to purchase premium<br />
ground meat, providing<br />
more protein to 61<br />
families in need.<br />
“Before this grant, the<br />
pantry could only provide<br />
canned meats, such as<br />
tuna, chicken and Vienna<br />
sausage,” said Susan Wolf,<br />
project coordinator. “Now,<br />
the pantry can provide<br />
fresh meat products to<br />
those in need.”<br />
El Centro<br />
Hispano En<br />
Arkansas,<br />
Jonesboro<br />
“The Blue & You Foundation<br />
mini grant allowed us to<br />
provide 20 car seats to<br />
Latina mothers completing<br />
our La Cuna (the Cradle)<br />
educational sessions and<br />
teach them how to use<br />
the devices and place the<br />
children in them correctly,”<br />
said Gina Gomez, executive<br />
director of El Centro Hispano<br />
En Arkansas. “Through this<br />
support, we can expand our<br />
efforts and provide equitable<br />
access to pre- and postnatal<br />
support for an even larger<br />
number of Latinas.”<br />
Searcy Police<br />
Department CPR<br />
Training<br />
“The Searcy Police<br />
Department is working to<br />
make our community safer<br />
by providing CPR/AED<br />
training to our department<br />
and the community, using<br />
the life-saving equipment<br />
provided by the mini<br />
grant from the Blue & You<br />
Foundation,” said Sgt. Jason<br />
McGlawn. The Searcy Police<br />
Department purchased<br />
a CPR/AED starter kit<br />
with adult and infant<br />
manikins, AED trainers, and<br />
accessories. “We are very<br />
thankful for this grant and<br />
the additional opportunities<br />
to serve our community.”<br />
Mini grants have the power to impact lives<br />
in your community! To learn more about<br />
Blue & You Foundation Mini Grants and other<br />
opportunities for funding, sign up for the e-newsletter at<br />
blueandyoufoundationarkansas.org to be well informed.<br />
<strong>AUTUMN</strong> <strong>2023</strong> 7
Arkansas Blue Cross<br />
encourages students to<br />
choose healthcare futures<br />
By Linda S. Haymes<br />
About 125 central Arkansas youngsters learned about mental<br />
health, diabetes prevention and careers in healthcare during<br />
the Life Skills for Youth (LSY) Health Academy <strong>2023</strong>, part of a<br />
10-week summer program for kindergarten through eighth-grade<br />
students. The program, sponsored by Arkansas Blue Cross<br />
and Blue Shield, included presentations on mental health and<br />
diabetes prevention by employees.<br />
Rebecca Pittillo, executive director of the Blue &<br />
You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas, praised<br />
students for all they'd learned during the Life Skills<br />
for Youth Health Academy this summer.<br />
At the end of the program, students, parents and grandparents<br />
gathered for a closing "white coat ceremony," mimicking the ones<br />
held when medical school students start their clinical education.<br />
LSY staff members and Arkansas Blue Cross representatives<br />
presented each child completing the program with their very own<br />
white “doctor’s” coat. Four posters highlighting what the students<br />
had learned during the week were displayed nearby.<br />
8 <strong>AUTUMN</strong> <strong>2023</strong><br />
Curtis Barnett, Arkansas Blue Cross president and<br />
chief executive officer, congratulated students for<br />
taking part in the health academy and encouraged<br />
them to consider a career in healthcare as adults.
Photos by David Lewis Photography<br />
Rebecca Pittillo, executive director of the Blue & You<br />
Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas, and Curtis Barnett,<br />
Arkansas Blue Cross president and chief executive<br />
officer, spoke to the students and adults who gathered.<br />
“I want to congratulate all of you on your white coats,”<br />
Curtis said. “We need doctors, nurses and all other types<br />
of employees in this field. To work in healthcare, you<br />
need to be smart, so study, and you need to be trained,<br />
so continue to learn, and most importantly, you need to<br />
care about people.”<br />
LSY, a private, non-profit organization offering an afterschool<br />
program was created by and is led by “Coach”<br />
Larry Clark, Sr., an Arkansas Blue Cross retiree. The<br />
program provides a positive alternative for youth,<br />
offers mentorship, and develops life skills.<br />
Larry Clark, Sr., leads the private, non-profit<br />
youth mentoring program he founded in 2007<br />
to mentor, equip and empower youth.<br />
<strong>AUTUMN</strong> <strong>2023</strong><br />
9
ANNUAL NOTICE: 2024 summary<br />
of benefits and coverage<br />
available November 15 for individual /<br />
family policyholders<br />
As required by the Patient Protection<br />
and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), the<br />
Summary of Benefits and Coverage<br />
(SBC) (OMB Control Numbers 1545-<br />
2229, 1210-0147 and 0938-1146)<br />
provides information regarding<br />
coverage specifications and<br />
limitations that apply to the health<br />
insurance plan you have selected.<br />
Before the end of each year, Arkansas<br />
Blue Cross and Blue Shield provides<br />
members who have individual/family<br />
health insurance policies * (but do not<br />
have Medicare policies) with an SBC.<br />
This official communication includes<br />
information about the coverage<br />
provided by your health insurance plan<br />
in a summary format for the upcoming<br />
year. Beginning November 15, <strong>2023</strong>,<br />
you may access this information:<br />
• Online in the “Benefits” section<br />
of the Arkansas Blue Cross<br />
secure member self-service<br />
center, <strong>Blueprint</strong>Portal, at<br />
blueprintportal.com<br />
• By calling Arkansas Blue Cross<br />
customer service at 800-800-4298<br />
to receive a printed version<br />
After that date, you also may go to<br />
arkbluecross.com/sbc and enter your<br />
member number (found on your member<br />
ID card) into the SBC locator tool to<br />
review the document online and print it.<br />
If you make changes to your Arkansas<br />
Blue Cross health plan benefits that<br />
differ from your current coverage, a<br />
new summary will be created for you<br />
within seven work days of our receipt<br />
of your change request. It will be<br />
available to you in the same manner<br />
described above.<br />
Arkansas Blue Cross, Health<br />
Advantage and BlueAdvantage<br />
Administrators of Arkansas members<br />
who receive health coverage through<br />
an employer group will get their<br />
SBC from their employer group plan<br />
administrator at the appropriate time.<br />
*<br />
These are members who do not have<br />
health insurance through an employer,<br />
a Medicare health plan or short-term,<br />
limited-duration Blue policies.<br />
Women’s health and<br />
cancer rights act<br />
The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 introduced<br />
changes in insurance coverage for a mastectomy. In accordance<br />
with the law, all group and individual health plans that provide<br />
medical and surgical benefits for mastectomy will cover<br />
reconstructive breast surgery, including:<br />
Reconstructive surgery on<br />
the breast on which the<br />
mastectomy was performed<br />
Reconstructive surgery on the<br />
unaffected breast to “produce<br />
a symmetrical appearance”<br />
Prostheses and treatment of complications<br />
of any stage of a mastectomy, including<br />
lymphedema (postsurgical fluid buildup)<br />
These provisions apply to all policies issued by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Health Advantage and<br />
BlueAdvantage Administrators of Arkansas and are subject to the applicable copayments, coinsurance, benefit limitations,<br />
exclusions and benefit maximums. If you have questions about your insurance coverage, contact your group benefits<br />
administrator or a customer service representative at the number listed on the back of your health plan I.D. card.<br />
10 <strong>AUTUMN</strong> <strong>2023</strong>
Celebrating our<br />
Top women of impact<br />
Pittillo and Nash<br />
Creshelle Nash, M.D., medical<br />
director of Health Equity and<br />
Public Programs at Arkansas<br />
Blue Cross and Blue Shield,<br />
and Rebecca Pittillo, executive<br />
director of the Blue & You<br />
Foundation for a Healthier<br />
Arkansas, are the Top 100<br />
Women of Impact named by the<br />
Women’s Foundation of Arkansas.<br />
The list highlights women<br />
who have made an impact on<br />
Arkansas through<br />
their work.<br />
Dr. Nash was recognized for<br />
her work in bringing a health<br />
equity framework to Arkansas<br />
Blue Cross and providing<br />
leadership on public programs<br />
and products to improve health<br />
equity for all Arkansans.<br />
Rebecca works to improve<br />
behavioral health in Arkansas<br />
through the foundation's<br />
commitment to improve<br />
access, promote early<br />
intervention, normalize<br />
the conversation of mental<br />
health and fund community<br />
and school based programs<br />
which build life-long health,<br />
resiliency and well-being for<br />
children and families. The<br />
Foundation also promotes<br />
better health in the Natural<br />
State in several other areas<br />
and is committed to improving<br />
the lives of people in our<br />
communities.<br />
We are proud to have such<br />
amazing women as leaders<br />
at Arkansas Blue Cross!<br />
Attention ARHOME members!<br />
Don't risk losing your health insurance<br />
If you received a renewal form from the Arkansas Department of<br />
Human Services (DHS), fill it out and return it to DHS by the date<br />
they gave you to avoid losing your coverage if you are still eligible.<br />
Have questions? Call DHS at 844-872-2660, visit ar.gov/renew<br />
or visit a local DHS office.<br />
If you lose coverage, we are here to help.<br />
You’ll qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) which allows<br />
you to get a new health plan through the Health Insurance<br />
Marketplace, and you may even qualify for financial assistance.<br />
If you need help understanding this process,<br />
visit your nearest ArkansasBlue Welcome Center,<br />
arkbluecross.com/arhome<br />
or call 800-392-2583.<br />
School calming<br />
room funding<br />
Schools chosen to receive one of the<br />
$2,500 funding to create calming rooms<br />
will be announced November 1. One<br />
middle, junior or high school will be<br />
selected in each of Arkansas’ 75 counties<br />
in honor of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue<br />
Shield’s 75 th anniversary in December.<br />
Visit arkbluecross.com/calming rooms<br />
for more information.<br />
<strong>AUTUMN</strong> <strong>2023</strong> 11
Proceed<br />
with caution:<br />
To take or not to<br />
take antibiotics<br />
As we approach fall and winter, also known as cold<br />
and flu season, it is important to understand when an<br />
antibiotic is needed and when it is not.<br />
When we feel under the weather, we expect and<br />
maybe even insist on being prescribed an antibiotic.<br />
It’s normal to want to get better fast. Before<br />
prescribing an antibiotic, however, your provider<br />
will need to determine whether a bacterial or viral<br />
infection is the cause of your illness.<br />
Antibiotics should not be used to treat illnesses such<br />
as the common cold, bronchitis, and some upper<br />
respiratory infections. In most cases, these are viral<br />
infections, and antibiotics are ineffective in treating<br />
viruses. Most viral infections can be effectively<br />
treated at home. Here are some at-home treatment<br />
tips for viral infections:<br />
• Get lots of rest.<br />
• Drink plenty of water.<br />
• Keep a humidifier by your bed to help<br />
with stuffiness.<br />
• Use saline nasal sprays or drops for a stuffy nose.<br />
• If you have a sore throat, try using ice chips,<br />
throat lozenges or spray.<br />
• If you have a fever, you can take a fever<br />
reducer such as Tylenol (acetaminophen)<br />
or Motrin/Advil (ibuprofen).<br />
12 <strong>AUTUMN</strong> <strong>2023</strong><br />
Common bacterial infections, such as strep throat,<br />
meningitis, and sinus infections, require treatment<br />
with an antibiotic. If you have one of these, your<br />
doctor may give you a prescription for an antibiotic.<br />
Antibiotics are a safe, effective tool when used to<br />
treat bacterial infections. It is very important to<br />
take antibiotics as prescribed and finish all your<br />
prescriptions, even after you begin to feel better.<br />
Common side effects from antibiotics include nausea,<br />
upset stomach, diarrhea and loss of appetite. This may<br />
result from the antibiotic killing good bacteria in your<br />
gut. Eating yogurt or taking a probiotic while taking<br />
your antibiotic can help minimize this side effect.<br />
Be Aware: Overuse of antibiotics can lead to bacteria<br />
becoming resistant and the antibiotic not working for<br />
you in the future.<br />
Ways you can help prevent both viral and bacterial<br />
infections include:<br />
• Washing your hands properly and often.<br />
• Avoiding those who are sick and staying home<br />
when you are sick.<br />
• Covering your mouth and nose when sneezing<br />
and coughing.<br />
• Making sure you are up to date with COVID<br />
and flu vaccines.<br />
• If you can get well without taking a course of<br />
antibiotics, then that’s the best course of action.
Preventive<br />
checkups<br />
to support a<br />
healthy<br />
pregnancy<br />
by Creshelle Nash, M.D.<br />
medical director for Health Equity<br />
and Public Programs<br />
Getting care early in a pregnancy, and even before, can help protect moms and babies from complications<br />
and ensure a healthy birth. By discussing your specific needs and health conditions with your doctor, you<br />
can work together to decide on a care plan that lowers your risks.<br />
Typical prenatal care milestones<br />
Many women follow a similar pregnancy check-up<br />
timeline, but every pregnancy is unique.<br />
• Weeks 4 to 28 of pregnancy: In the earliest stage<br />
of pregnancy, expectant mothers visit their care<br />
provider once a month to get routine care such as<br />
physicals and pelvic exams, blood pressure and<br />
urine tests, prenatal vitamin prescriptions, and<br />
gestational diabetes screening.<br />
• Weeks 28 to 36 of pregnancy: At this stage,<br />
expectant mothers have checkups twice a month.<br />
At later checkups, your doctor may assess your weight,<br />
blood pressure, the baby’s heartbeat and growth. You<br />
may receive relevant vaccinations, such as Tdap.<br />
• Weeks 36 to 41 of pregnancy: During the final stage<br />
of pregnancy, expectant mothers typically visit their<br />
doctor every week.<br />
If you have complications during pregnancy, your<br />
provider may want to see you more often.<br />
Our whole person approach to prenatal care<br />
Your mental and behavioral health is just as<br />
important as your physical health during your<br />
pregnancy and after birth. Post-partum depression<br />
is more than “baby blues” and can sometimes be<br />
severe. If you feel something isn’t right, physically<br />
or mentally –during or after your pregnancy — make<br />
sure your doctor listens to your concerns.<br />
At Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, we are<br />
committed to assisting parents in maintaining<br />
healthy behaviors<br />
before, during, and after<br />
pregnancy. Our Special<br />
Delivery Education<br />
Program is a free<br />
maternity program for<br />
pregnant members.<br />
Follow the QR code to<br />
learn more and sign up.<br />
<strong>AUTUMN</strong> <strong>2023</strong> 13
Medicare Annual<br />
Enrollment Period<br />
October 15 – December 7<br />
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is<br />
almost here. It's time to decide which Medicare<br />
option is best for you — to stay with your current<br />
Arkansas Blue Medicare plan, choose a different<br />
Medicare Advantage plan, or return to Original<br />
Medicare. Arkansas Blue Medicare has some<br />
exciting plan options you won’t want to miss.<br />
The Annual Enrollment Period is October 15<br />
through December 7 with plans and benefits<br />
going into effect on January 1, 2024.<br />
What’s most important when it comes to your<br />
health coverage? Whether it’s a plan that delivers<br />
real savings, makes it easy to get needed care, or<br />
offers those extra benefits that give you peace of<br />
mind, we’re here to help you find the right Arkansas<br />
Blue Medicare plan that fits your needs and budget.<br />
Call your local licensed agent<br />
at 800-392-2583.<br />
Visit arkansasblue65.com/medicare<br />
and watch our short video or<br />
visit us in person at your nearby<br />
ArkansasBlue Welcome Center.<br />
What makes our plans special?<br />
• Many HMO and PPO plans with<br />
$0 monthly premiums and $0 to low copays<br />
• Comprehensive dental, vision, hearing,<br />
and prescription drug coverage<br />
• Excellent care from a large network<br />
of trusted providers and hospitals<br />
Arkansas Blue Medicare HMO and PPO<br />
plans include valuable extras designed<br />
to help you stay your healthiest:<br />
• New! Walmart Wellness Benefits Card for<br />
over-the-counter (OTC) health-related products<br />
• $0 Primary Care Provider visits<br />
• Valuable Healthy Blue Rewards<br />
• No-cost 24/7 Nurse Advice Line<br />
• $0 SilverSneakers ® Fitness Program Membership<br />
Registration ends December 7<br />
If you’re about to turn 65 or already have<br />
Medicare, now is the time to look at Arkansas<br />
Blue Medicare. Our plans deliver valuable<br />
benefits, savings, and rewards — all with the<br />
local support of the Arkansas Blue Cross and<br />
Blue Shield name you know and trust.<br />
Live your best life – connect with a local expert today!<br />
14<br />
<strong>AUTUMN</strong> <strong>2023</strong>
Open Enrollment<br />
for 2024 coverage<br />
If you need an individual or family health plan for<br />
next year, the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) for<br />
2024 runs from November 1, <strong>2023</strong>, to January 15,<br />
2024. During OEP, you can decide to keep or change<br />
your existing plan. If you want your coverage to<br />
begin on January 1, you must enroll by December 15.<br />
We understand this is an important decision.<br />
Our friendly experts can help you find the best<br />
coverage for your needs and budget.<br />
Customer Service<br />
N U M B E R S<br />
May we help? For customer service, please call toll free:<br />
Arkansas Blue Medicare<br />
HMO Plans (H6158) 844-463-1088<br />
PPO Plans (H3554) 844-201-4934<br />
PFFS Plans (H4213) 877-233-7022<br />
BlueMedicare Classic/Classic Plus (HMO) 877-349-9335<br />
Arkansas Blue Medicare Prescription<br />
Drug Plans (S5795): 866-390-3369<br />
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield<br />
Medicare Supplement Plans 800-238-8379<br />
Arkansas Blue Cross members 800-238-8379<br />
Arkansas Blue Cross Metallic members<br />
(Gold, Silver, Bronze, Catastrophic) 800-800-4298<br />
Health Advantage members 800-843-1329<br />
BlueAdvantage members 888-872-2531<br />
Pharmacy questions 888-293-3748<br />
Federal Employee Program members 800-482-6655<br />
Arkansas State Employees /<br />
Public School Employees 800-482-8416<br />
Looking for health or dental insurance? We can help!<br />
For individuals, families 800-392-2583<br />
For employer groups * 800-421-1112<br />
How to update your coverage<br />
Watch for your annual benefit update letter<br />
explaining your options in detail.<br />
If you want to discuss a new health plan:<br />
• Call 800-392-2583 to talk to a health<br />
insurance expert.<br />
• Visit an ArkansasBlue Welcome Center.<br />
To schedule an appointment at a location<br />
near you, visit arkbluecross.com/locations.<br />
• Visit arkbluecross.com/enroll to shop online<br />
for a new plan.<br />
• Call your local agent.<br />
Visit our websites<br />
for more information:<br />
• arkansasbluecross.com<br />
• arkbluemedicare.com<br />
• hub.arkansasbluecross.com<br />
• healthadvantage-hmo.com<br />
• blueadvantagearkansas.com<br />
• blueandyoufoundationarkansas.org<br />
Prefer to speak with someone close to home?<br />
Call or visit one of our Welcome Centers near you:<br />
Fayetteville<br />
3013 N. College Ave. 479-379-5180<br />
Fort Smith<br />
3501 Old Greenwood Road – Suite 3 479-648-1635<br />
Hot Springs<br />
1635 Higdon Ferry Road – Suite J 501-620-2620<br />
Jonesboro<br />
2110 Fair Park Blvd. – Suite I 870-935-4871<br />
Little Rock (MIDTOWN)<br />
416 S. University Ave. – Suite 110 501-396-8675<br />
Pine Bluff<br />
509 Mallard Loop 870-536-1223<br />
Rogers<br />
4602 W. Walnut St. 479-973-6675<br />
*<br />
Arkansas Blue Cross, Health Advantage and<br />
BlueAdvantage Administrators of Arkansas<br />
<strong>AUTUMN</strong> <strong>2023</strong><br />
VICE PRESIDENT of<br />
CORPORATE MARKETING<br />
Alison Melson<br />
EDITOR<br />
Linda S. Haymes<br />
Editor@arkbluecross.com<br />
DESIGNER<br />
Ryan Kravitz<br />
Mark Jansen, M.D.,<br />
vice president and<br />
chief medical officer<br />
MEDICAL REVIEWERS<br />
Creshelle Nash, M.D.,<br />
medical director for Health<br />
Equity and Public Programs<br />
<strong>AUTUMN</strong> <strong>2023</strong> 15
PRSRT STD<br />
U.S. POSTAGE<br />
PAID<br />
ARKANSAS BLUE CROSS<br />
BLUE SHIELD<br />
72201<br />
Fall for our fun<br />
ArkansasBlue<br />
Welcome Center<br />
events<br />
OCTOBER<br />
In the pink — In recognition<br />
of Breast Cancer Awareness<br />
Month, sw by any ArkansasBlue<br />
Welcome Center for a free gift<br />
and to register to win a pink<br />
NutriBullet for healthier eating.<br />
Holiday food drive — During the<br />
month of October, ArkansasBlue<br />
Welcome Centers will accept<br />
canned and boxed food to<br />
provide meals for those in need<br />
during the holiday season.<br />
DECEMBER<br />
Celebrating 75 years! — Join us<br />
at any ArkansasBlue Welcome<br />
Center on December 4 to<br />
celebrate the 75 th anniversary of<br />
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue<br />
Shield. We’ll be giving away 75<br />
gift cards to different retailers<br />
and/or restaurants to the first 75<br />
people who visit us that day!<br />
Christmas spirit! — Beginning<br />
Thanksgiving week, the Jonesboro<br />
ArkansasBlue Welcome Center,<br />
2110 Fair Park Blvd., will give<br />
away free admission tickets<br />
to Arkansas Blue Cross night<br />
(December 14) at Christmas<br />
in the Park in Jonesboro,<br />
while supplies last.<br />
00002.09.01-0723